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Product Description
Garrick Hagon reads the first five stories from Isaac Asimov s classic book, now the inspiration for a major motion picture In I, Robot Isaac Asimov first laid down the Three Laws of Robotics, and foresaw a time when robots occupied a place in society alongside their human creators. The year is 2057, and robopsychologist Dr Susan Calvin recalls the history of US Robots, and some of the landmark cases in the development of man s servant class. Robbie: Little Gloria is looked after by Robbie; but how healthy can a metal nursemaid be? Runaround: On Mercury, mining robot Speedy is troubled by conflict between the Three Laws. Reason: Cutie has been given reason and one day he reasons away his need for mankind...Catch That Rabbit: What exactly does robot Dave get up to when he doesn t think he s being watched? Liar! Herbie can read minds; but dare he tell the humans what each other is thinking? Garrick Hagon, whose film and TV work has included roles in Star Wars, Batman, Doctor Who and Cambridge Spies, reads these gripping tales of things-still-to-come.
From the Back Cover
Isaac Asimov ushered in the Robot Age with these stories. Far removed from the metal monsters of pulp sf, his positronic robots gave him the scope to examine the minefield of human psychology by exploring the possibilities of artificial intelligence.
When Earth is ruled by master-machines, when robots often seem more human than mankind, the Three Laws of Robotics ensure that humans remain superior and the robots are kept in their rightful place. But an insane telepathic robot results from a production error; a robot assembled in space logically deduces its superiority to non-rational humanity; and when machines serve mankind rather than individual humans, the machine's idea of what is good for society may itself contravene the sacred Three Laws.
These timeless stories from the Grand Master of science fiction provide a fascinating insight into how robot and humans might coexist. Asimov's questioning of definitions of humanity and human behaviour continues to capture the imagination in these brilliantly inventive and thought-provoking tales.
'Asimov displayed one of the most dynamic imaginations in science fiction'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is THE robot classic. With that though come lots of problems for the contemporary reader.
Pretty well every robot in science fiction is somehow related to this book - either by being just like Asimov's robots (Star Treks's "Data" was openly acknowledged to be an Asimov robot) or by being deliberately unlike them. It is impossible to underestimate the importance of this novel - it created a precedent that could either be used or abused by subsequent writers.
Having said all that what is it like reading this ground breaking novel today 40 years later?
OK the style may be very 50's, the techno babble may no longer be credible but the stories are still good. Having set up the famous "3 laws of Robotics", Asimov then goes on to create a series of puzzles - each one is a mystery that can only be solved by understanding the rules he has created. The stories have the same appeal as whodunnits except the question is sometimes howdunnit, whydunnit, where or when dunnit. In general each of his stories poses the question " Considering the rules under which robots have to work how is it possible that ....?" Finding the answer is the fun.
It is a testament to Asimov that although the sci-fi, social, and stylistic elements of this book may now seem outdated, the stories are so good they still provide enjoyable reading.
Those seeking nano technology, alternative universes, worm holes etc may be dissapointed but those seeking a series of intriguing mysteries only solvable through logic will get a real kick out of this. Additionally, if you found Data's difficulties in coming to terms with the human view of the universe intriguing and entertaining, you will find lots to enjoy here.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is groundbreaking science fiction, introducing a concept or philosophy that spread past the work of Asimov and penetrated the consciousness of the genre in general. The short stories in "I, Robot" introduce the idea of the non-Frankensteinian robot, one who cannot harm his creator by virtue of the Three Laws of Robotics:
1 - A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2 - A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3 - A robot must protect its own existence
We almost take these laws for granted, but their structure is brilliant, and they give rise to some great robot science fiction from the hand of one of sci-fi's most beloved authors.
Sad to say, despite creating a brilliant character in Susan Calvin, the iron-minded scientist who is central to the invention of the robot, Asimov's characters are typically cartoonish and cliche. Worse yet, he breaks the law of fiction whereby he uses the slang of the Fifties, thus dating the book immeasurably. If you grew up in the Fifties, reading this is a breath of nostalgia--not the best thing for futuristic fiction. If you are a Generation X'er, the style has the campiness of a comic book. Which is not helpful to the smart plots of the stories.
I have to say that "I, Robot" was one of my adolescent favorites and I still enjoy the stories. "Robbie" pits the big metal beast, beloved by a child, against the fears of the adults. Perfect showcase for the Laws. And the ideas in "Liar"--a mind-reading robot, are the nucleus for later novels by Asimov. These are worth reading, even though sadly dated.
Contents:
Robbie
Runaround
Reason
Catch That Rabbit
Liar!
Little Lost Robot
Escape!
Evidence
The Evitable Conflict
I have to say that "I, Robot" was one of my adolescent favorites and I still enjoy the stories. "Robbie" pits the big metal beast, beloved by a child, against the fears of the adults. Perfect showcase for the Laws. And the ideas in
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Assimov's classic and masterful collection of short stories really needs no introduction. If you haven't read it or heard of it I urge you to buy it immediately especially if you're a fan of proper science fiction. Anyone with a logical and open minded dispostion with an interest in science, even cursory, will find this book enthralling. Many of the stories involve some problem that needs to be solved through logic, but psycology (both human and robot) also plays a large part. Don't expect the robots in this novel to be walking tin cans. Many of them display more human traits than their human researchers and their personalities are intricately complex and often play centre stage in the stories with the humans playing a second best. If ever their was a book to change your way of how you look at computer intelligence, then it's probably this one.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not for me
Not sure. I just couldn't get into this one. It's a classic so I know I 'should' love it, but I dropped it about half way through. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Christine Q.
A series of conundrums
I expected to enjoy this far more than I actually did, since it's 'classic' SF and recommended reading from several sources. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Archy
Fascinating read
Series of robot-themed tales set in the near future, within the life span of robopsychologist Susan Calvin. Read more
Published 11 months ago by JoTownhead
The best science fiction i've ever read
I imagine most people have seen the Will Smith movie from 2004 or are, at the very least, aware that a Hollywood adaptation exists. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Code Hero
Excellent classic sci fi
This book was really great. It was a collection of short stories from which the film "I Robot" was made. Read more
Published 20 months ago by miss_spookiness
i robot
enjoyed this book it is the first Asimov book I have resd and would read more........however it is totally different from the film in many ways
Published 21 months ago by midgets
Fun but not fantastic
After reading a couple of old books by Ray Bradbury recently, I probably expected more from these Asimov stories. Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2009 by hippychic
I, Robot
One of the most important and influential sci-fi books ever, and a prime example of Asimov's best work. Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2008 by David Brookes
Enlightenment
This is one of the most revered books in my past, nothing yet has surpassed it.
It's concept was way beyond thought at that time, and is still out of our grasp.
It's concept was way beyond thought at that time, and is still out of our grasp.
Published on 29 May 2008 by Mr. S. Whall
Not as good as the Foundation series
Having read this twice, once before and once after Will Smith starred in a film "loosely" based on this book, I have to say, I feel the book has not aged as well as the Foundation... Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2008 by Dmitri M. A. Hubbard
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